An International Education, A London Location,A Global Future

Flexible Start Dates

With the opportunity to start your course in the Autumn (Fall) or the Spring

British and international internships

Richmond offers all students the opportunity to take an internship

Academic Requirements

We accept qualifications from around the world

Certificate in British Studies

The Certificate in British Studies focuses on having completed a systematic and intensive study of British culture. Students will explore a range of areas such as: film, theatre (past and present), the history of Britain, British parliament and the fascinating history of London.

Programme Structure

Minor Requirements – US Credits 15 – UK Credits 60

The Certificate requires students to successfully complete five courses in British civilization, and is evidence of having completed a systematic and intensive study of British culture. Upon completion of the five courses with a GPA of at least 2.0, the student’s transcript will indicate the Certificate has been conferred Five of the following:

AVC 5200 (3.000 CREDITS) Museums and Galleries of London

Considers the nature of museums and art galleries and their role and function in our society and culture. Students study the workings of the art market and a variety of other topics that impinge upon it, such as conservation, restoration, the investment potential of art, and art world crime. Students visit many of the great London galleries and museums with their rich intercultural collections, as part of this course. A university-level survey of the history of international art is strongly recommended as a prerequisite.

AVC 5400 (3.000 CREDITS) British Art & Architecture

This course provides students with a broad knowledge and understanding of British painting, sculpture, architecture, and interior design from 1650 to the present day. The course enables students to study and discuss British art and architecture firsthand through regular visits to buildings and museums. Crucially, the course provides students with a critical understanding of the various historical, cultural, social and political contexts that have shaped British art and architecture from 1650 onwards. The works are considered through key themes which may include portraiture and the human body, land and environment, modernity and modernism, urbanism and nature, nationalism and identity.

HST 5400 (3.000 CREDITS) History Of London

This course surveys the history of London from its Roman origins to the modern cosmopolitan metropolis that it is today. Through a variety of themes presented in lectures and complemented by field trips, students will explore social, political and architectural developments of this urban centre throughout the ages. Thus students will both read about and visit significant sites within London which illustrate aspects of the history of this great metropolis Note: Most visits require travel, a few require entrance fees.

HST 5405 (3.000 CREDITS) US and UK Comparative History

Focuses on shared themes from the 1880’s to the present day, using a variety of approaches to enable students from different disciplines to participate in the course. Issues around popular culture, gender and ethnicity will be looked at, as well as peoples’ responses to major events like the Depression and wars. Concepts from economic history will be used to analyze the booms and slumps that have occurred and the changes to the US/UK that have taken place as a result. The decline of Britain as a world power and the parallel rise of the US will be studied, and this will help put into context the current debates on the post Cold War world order and globalization.

HST 6415 (3.000 CREDITS) Island to Empire:British Hist.1707-1922

Surveys the history of modern Britain during its formative period of industrialization and empire building. An agrarian society ruled by a powerful aristocracy made way, not without moments of crisis, for an industrial society with a democratic franchise and organized political parties. The interaction between the old order and the new provides this course with its basic theme.

LIT 5405 (3.000 CREDITS) British Fantasy Writing

This course will explore the vibrant genre tradition of fantastic and non-realist writing using a range of critical approaches. The first half of the course will survey some of the major texts on which modern Fantasy literature draws, including Beowulf, Arthurian texts and selections from works by Shakespeare, Milton, Jane Austen and Lewis Carroll. The second half of the course will focus more intensively on a few major fantasies from the past 120 years and their filmed adaptations, including works by Bram Stoker, J.R.R. Tolkien, and J.K. Rowling, and will look at how these texts and their filmic counterparts repurpose and revision older ideas for novel purposes.

PLT 5205 (3.000 CREDITS) British Politics: Inside Parliament

This course will introduce students to the main political institutions in the United Kingdom (the monarchy, the executive, parliament, political parties and electoral systems) and to important debates in contemporary British society, such as constitutional reform, Britain’s relations with Europe, the power of the media, gender debates and multiculturalism. The class combines theoretical and empirical approaches. Classes are supplemented by 10 sessions in the House of Commons with a Member of Parliament.

SCL 5400 (3.000 CREDITS) Modern Britain: A Social Analysis

A general presentation of British society for students who arrive in the country and are keen to know about its way of life, patterns of thought, and socio-cultural background. This course also examines Britain’s changing status in the world and the effect this has had on socio-political attitudes and behaviour.

THR 5405 (3.000 CREDITS) Shakespeare & His World I

This course provides historical and theoretical contexts to Shakespeare’s plays and approaches them with a variety of different critical methods. Shakespeare in performance is an integral part of the course and students are expected to see productions of most texts studied. An additional fee is required for outside trips.

THR 5410 (3.000 CREDITS) Shakespeare & His World II

This course provides historical and theoretical contexts to Shakespeare’s plays and approaches them with a variety of different critical methods. Shakespeare in performance is an integral part of the course and students are expected to see productions of most texts studied. An additional fee is required for outside trips.

THR 6200 (3.000 CREDITS) Classical Brit Theatre:Fire Over England

Examines the classical traditions in British theatre, as they are perceived today. Students look at a range of plays from the Renaissance tragedies of Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare and John Webster to the twentieth century tragedies of dramatists such as T. S. Eliot. Lectures concentrate on textual studies and criticism, and a number of theatre visits are undertaken where possible, these are productions of plays taught on the course.

THR 6205 (3.000 CREDITS) Contemp Brit Theatre:Lost Boys Bad Girls

A survey of the major developments in the British theatre since the 1950’s.The writer’s theatre movement at the Royal Court Theatre and the work of John Osborne and Harold Pinter are studied, as well as the work of major dramatists such as Peter Shaffer and Tom Stoppard. Students see a number of experimental and controversial productions and discuss current playwriting and acting techniques.

Tuition Fees: 2017/18 & 2018/19 entry per annum, students from:

UK/EU

£9,250

US

$38,000

Rest of the World

£14,500

Study Suggestions
If you are passionate about British culture and history, this certificate would be ideal for you.